Chapter 1   iPlanet Console and Administration Server


iPlanet Console 5.0 and Administration Server 5.0 are two parts of a system that lets you manage iPlanet software and users in your enterprise. This chapter presents a high-level overview of what this system is and how you can use it to work with resources across your network.

In order to run most iPlanet software, you must first install iPlanet Directory Server. By default, when you do this, iPlanet Console and Administration Server are automatically installed for you. Although iPlanet Directory Server, iPlanet Console, and iPlanet Administration Server work tightly with one another, each plays a specific role in the management of servers, applications, and users.

iPlanet Directory Server stores server and application configuration settings as well as user information. This data is used by other servers in the enterprise. Typically, application and server configuration information is stored in one subtree of iPlanet Directory Server while user and group entries are stored in another subtree. If you have a large enterprise, however, you can store your configuration and user information in separate instances of Directory Server (which can be on the same host machine or on two different host machines). When the terms configuration directory and user directory are used in this guide, they refer to where the configuration information and the user information is stored—either in the subtrees of a single instance of Directory Server or in two separate instances of Directory Server.

iPlanet Console is the front-end management application for iPlanet software in your enterprise. It finds all servers and applications registered in your configuration directory, displays them in a graphical interface, and lets you manage and configure them. In addition, iPlanet Console provides graphical tools for locating and managing entries in the user directory. Figure 1-1 shows iPlanet Console's interface.

Figure 1-1    The iPlanet Console Interface

When you log in to iPlanet Console, it connects to an instance of iPlanet Administration Server using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). iPlanet Administration Server manages requests for all iPlanet products installed in a single root folder.

When you install an iPlanet product in a new folder, iPlanet Administration Server is installed for you. If you install additional products in the same folder, they can use the instance of iPlanetAdministration Server that is already there. If a product includes a newer version of iPlanet Administration Server and iPlanet Console than the versions in the root folder, the installer updates the folder with the latest versions. iPlanet Administration Server and iPlanet Console are backward compatible; all existing Netscape or iPlanet servers will continue to work normally.

The system for managing iPlanet products works as follows:

iPlanet Console lets you manage resources (servers or applications) as well as add or edit user information. When you use iPlanet Console to manage resources, Console sends HTTP requests to the instance of iPlanet Administration Server that controls the resource. Upon receiving these requests, the instance of iPlanet Administration Server executes programs that perform the requested tasks. For example, iPlanet Administration Server can execute programs to modify the server and application settings that are stored in the configuration directory or to change the port number that a server listens to.

When you use iPlanet Console to add or edit user entries, it sends Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) messages directly to Directory Server. The information in these messages is then stored in the user directory. Figure 1-2 illustrates the system.

Figure 1-2    A Simple System With iPlanet Console

Figure 1-2 shows an example of a relatively simple system. As your enterprise grows and your needs change, you have the flexibility to add additional hosts and servers. Even when you install new hardware and software, you can continue to use a single instance of iPlanet Console to manage your network. Figure 1-3 shows how a complex system might be organized.

Figure 1-3    A More Complex System With iPlanet Console

The rest of this guide shows you how to install and use iPlanet Console and Administration Server to manage servers, applications, and users.

If you would like to learn more about how iPlanet Console works before installing the product, see "A Tour of iPlanet Console."